Abstract

The James F. Frenzel aviation diary (dated 1917-1919; 0.05 cubic feet; 1 folder) comprises a diary of Frenzel's enlistment and participation in the Aviation Branch of the United States Army while deployed overseas in France during World War I.

2009ms132.0021: [identification of item], Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: James F. Frenzel aviation diary, 1917-1919, University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.

Repository

University of Kentucky

Collection Overview

Biography / History

James F. Frenzel (1894-1950) lived in Indianapolis, Indiana before enlisting in the U.S. Army on May 31, 1917. He was the son of Oscar Frenzel (1862-1929), who was a cashier at a bank, and Lilly Frenzel (b. 1871). James was the oldest of five children. He wanted to study aviation but his father disapproved of his son's aspirations. His father eventually relented after the U.S. declared war on Germany and before James enlisted in the Aviation Section of the Signal Corps. He spent eight weeks at ground school in Champaign, Ill. and then three months at flight school at Chanute Field, Rantoul, Ill. He was assigned to the 108th Aerosquadron upon completion of flight school and deployed overseas to France which he arrived on December 29th, 1917 after a month long journey. He was then assigned to the 3rd Aviation Training Center at Issoudun, which was the largest aviation base in France. Frenzel eventually became a flight instructor in 1918.

American Letters collector Wade Hall (1934-2015) was a native of Union Springs, Alabama. Starting in 1962, he lived in Louisville, where he taught English and chaired the English and Humanities/Arts programs at Kentucky Southern College and Bellarmine University. He also taught at the University of Illinois and the University of Florida. He held degrees from Troy State University (B.S.), the University of Alabama (M.A.), and the University of Illinois (Ph.D.). He served for two years in the U.S. Army in the mid-fifties. Dr. Hall was the author of books, monographs, articles, plays, and reviews relating to Kentucky, Alabama, and Southern history and literature. His most recent books include A Visit with Harlan Hubbard; High Upon a Hill: A History of Bellarmine College; A Song in Native Pastures: Randy Atcher's Life in Country Music; and Waters of Life from Conecuh Ridge.

Scope and Content

The James F. Frenzel aviation diary collection (dated 1917-1919; 0.05 cubic feet; 1 folder) comprises a diary of Frenzel's enlistment and participation in the Aviation Branch of the United States Army while deployed overseas in France during World War I. The diary offers rich descriptions of Frenzel's experiences flying planes during training and while serving overseas in France along with unique descriptions of WWI pilot training and the dangers associated with learning to fly WWI-era planes.

The James F. Frenzel Aviation diary is part of the Wade Hall Collection of American letters, which includes correspondence and diaries from all over North America covering the time period of the Civil to Korean Wars. The materials were collected by Wade Hall and document everyday men and women.

Restrictions on Access and Use

Conditions Governing Access

Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open to researchers by appointment.

Use Restrictions

The physical rights to the materials in this collection are held by the University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.

Contents of the Collection

James F. Frenzel aviation diary, 1917-1919

Researchers are required to have an SCRC Researcher Account in order to request or order digital copies of materials. Research Account set-up and use instructions can be found at: http://libguides.uky.edu/SCRCaccount

If you are visiting the Breckinridge Research Room, please request materials at least 48 business hours in advance of your arrival.

Table of Contents

Researchers are required to have an SCRC Researcher Account in order to request or order digital copies of materials. Research Account set-up and use instructions can be found at: http://libguides.uky.edu/SCRCaccount

If you are visiting the Breckinridge Research Room, please request materials at least 48 business hours in advance of your arrival.